Woman uploads abortion video - goes viral

MakeEmLaugh · 09-05-2014 09:52AM #1

A 25 year old woman from the US has uploaded a video of herself announcing she is pregnant, then discussing the fact that she is going to have an abortion.

The three minute clip then includes the actual procedure, caught on camera, as well Letts' feelings post-abortion.

She says the following:

“I don’t feel like a bad person. I don’t feel sad. I feel in awe of the fact that I can make a baby. I can make a life. I knew that what I was going to do was right ‘cause it was right for me and no one else.”

Now, as someone who is very pro-choice, I am ambivalent about this video. On the one hand, I feel people should have the right to upload pretty much whatever they want to YouTube, as long as whatever's happening in the video is legal (which this was). And I don't at all think Letts was wrong to have an abortion.

However, statements like "I feel in awe of the fact that I can make a baby" hardly help the pro-choice movement. Referring to a foetus as a 'baby' is exactly what rabid pro-lifers do, and announcing that you are in 'awe' of the fact that what you were carrying was a 'baby', which you then chose to abort, again, doesn't help the pro-choice argument.

The One Doctor · 09-05-2014 09:55AM

Apt username. Seriously though, if it's legal she can do it, so there's no real argument.

nelly17 · 09-05-2014 09:56AM

Well lets hope she does not have trouble concieving again if and when she decides to, or this could come back to haunt her. And I dont mean this from a pro life perspecvtive its just an observation

Grayson · 09-05-2014 10:39AM

nelly17 wrote: »

Well lets hope she does not have trouble concieving again if and when she decides to, or this could come back to haunt her. And I dont mean this from a pro life perspecvtive its just an observation

Abortions don't affect a woman's chance of conceiving. An abortion in the 1960's or one performed in a back alley might, but modern day procedures don't.

And that's why it's good that this woman recorded her abortion. there are too many myths and (pun intended) misconceptions about abortion. It needs to be out in the open where people can talk about it.

This is a commentary from the guardian. It mentions the reactions that women receive when they discuss abortions. It's interesting to note that most people do seem to have the opinion that there are Good and bad abortions. Women are judged on them and that's not right.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/08/emily-letts-abortion-video

GalwayGuy2 · 09-05-2014 10:52AM

Honestly, that videos almost enough to make me turn pro-life.

I believe a woman shouldn't be ashamed to get an abortion, and should be allowed if she wants. But, realising it as if it's some kind of fan/political video is a tad dodgy.

It's honestly quite hard not to imagine that that fetus couldn't turn into a life in the future.

I am pro-choice, but I can kind of see why the pro-lifers get so enraged at these sort of stunts.

I Heart Internet · 09-05-2014 10:54AM

I understand that she works for an abortion provider, so this is, in effect, an advertisment.

09-05-2014 10:55AM

Jasus I am pretty liberal but dunno about that.

Ihatecuddles · 09-05-2014 10:58AM

I felt uncomfortable watching that, its like she was actually enjoying the experience.

BearBanjer · 09-05-2014 11:03AM

There's just no need for it is there....

herisson · 09-05-2014 11:03AM

I'm pro choice, but that video didn't sit right with me. Like mauzo! Said its like she was enjoying it.

I get that pro lifers will be up in arms over it. I don't think it was necessary to film it and upload it.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller · 09-05-2014 11:12AM

herisson wrote: »

I get that pro lifers will be up in arms over it.

I am a "pro lifer" and I'm not up in arms, far from it.

On the contrary in fact, I am glad she posted it, as it shows that reality of the situation.

thomas anderson. · 09-05-2014 11:14AM

Her body, her choice.

Hande hoche! · 09-05-2014 11:17AM

One in three seems very high.

RDM_83 again · 09-05-2014 11:21AM

Meh, it reeks of vanity and being an Ad for abortion services rather than being a genuine effort to help people process their feelings (or lack there off post abortion).

razorblunt · 09-05-2014 11:23AM

I'm very liberal and very much pro-choice but I couldn't watch that, for the reasons highlighted above of self promotion more than anything.. That being said I wouldn't prevent anyone from watching it or demand it's removal.

eviltwin · 09-05-2014 11:25AM

Seems like an ad alright, I have no issue with people detailing their abortion experience, as someone else said its good to show the reality of it so people know what is involved. It prevents both sides making up stuff that isn't true and its helpful if someone having an abortion knows what to expect. This doesn't come across as an information video though.

hairycakes · 09-05-2014 11:30AM

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I am pro-choice and have no problem with the fact she had an abortion. And as mentioned above, I think it would be good for people who have gone through it to be able to talk more openly about it but I don't like how ,for lack of a better word, easy she made it seem. Regardless of what choice you make, I feel it is a big choice and I just feel that video belittled it somehow.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller · 09-05-2014 11:31AM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Her body, her choice.

A fetus is not part of a woman's body. It has it's own independent DNA.

thomas anderson. · 09-05-2014 11:35AM

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

A fetus is not part of a woman's body. It has it's own independent DNA.

And so it begins

fillefatale · 09-05-2014 11:38AM

I'm pro-choice, and I believe it is a women's right to choose this procedure, or not. I don't feel comfortable watching this - each women's experience is different, but that's the nature of the internet now - nothing is sacred, and everything is shared online. I'm not sure how to feel about this actually.

I Heart Internet · 09-05-2014 11:38AM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

And so it begins

Did it not begin with your earlier comment? It seems like it did.

Larbre34 · 09-05-2014 11:42AM

Hope she doesn't get murdered by a fundamentalist type over it. She has been so blatant about publicising herself I wouldnt rule it out.

tigger123 · 09-05-2014 11:44AM

fillefatale wrote: »

I'm pro-choice, and I believe it is a women's right to choose this procedure, or not. I don't feel comfortable watching this - each women's experience is different, but that's the nature of the internet now - nothing is sacred, and everything is shared online. I'm not sure how to feel about this actually.

I know what you mean about this kind of thing being uncomfortable to watch, but it's happening. A woman who elects to have this procedure may not have the support of those closest to her and I think the more people that discuss their experiences of it (whatever they may be) can only help those in similar positions.

suicide_circus · 09-05-2014 11:45AM

best abortion I've ever seen

eviltwin · 09-05-2014 11:47AM

tigger123 wrote: »

I know what you mean about this kind of thing being uncomfortable to watch, but it's happening. A woman who elects to have this procedure may not have the support of those closest to her and I think the more people that discuss their experiences of it (whatever they may be) can only help those in similar positions.

I agree, years ago you would never have seen footage of a woman giving birth or someone having a heart transplant. It wasn't the done thing but done in the right way it can be helpful and educational rather than voyeuristic.

However I don't think Ireland is quite ready for this yet, we can't even handle women talking about their experiences let alone seeing them.

padd b1975 · 09-05-2014 11:51AM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Her body, her choice.

Shame about the poor child growing inside her all the same though.

But that's the harsh reality of liberal abortion legislation I suppose.

tigger123 · 09-05-2014 11:57AM

eviltwin wrote: »

I agree, years ago you would never have seen footage of a woman giving birth or someone having a heart transplant. It wasn't the done thing but done in the right way it can be helpful and educational rather than voyeuristic.

However I don't think Ireland is quite ready for this yet, we can't even handle women talking about their experiences let alone seeing them.

This argument always gets incredibly abstract and ideological very quickly. It's easy to forget that there's a very human side to these things. If more women spoke about their experiences it would perhaps change the tone of the debate somewhat.

Foxhound38 · 09-05-2014 11:58AM

I'm pro-choice, she had every right to do what she did, no arguments here...

But just from a personal point of view, it didn't sit right with me. It was the tone of it or something, it was almost flippant - I feel very off about some aspect I can't even put my finger on specifically in that video. It's like the tone of it was deliberately pepped up to troll the anti-choice crowd or something - I'm sure that's not the case but that's the impression I got.

Look, her body, her life, her choice at the end of the day. But I can definately see this being paraded around by the anti-choice crusaders

Boombastic · 09-05-2014 12:17PM

eviltwin wrote: »

Seems like an ad alright, I have no issue with people detailing their abortion experience, as someone else said its good to show the reality of it so people know what is involved. It prevents both sides making up stuff that isn't true and its helpful if someone having an abortion knows what to expect. This doesn't come across as an information video though.

how close to reality is it though? are abortions full of 'special moments' and 'good feelings'?

keano_afc · 09-05-2014 12:19PM

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Her body, her choice.

See thats the thing, its not. Would you say the same if she was terminating at 8 months?

steddyeddy · 09-05-2014 12:19PM

I'm prochoice but she across as quite as having psychopathic tendencies as far as she seemed to enjoy that and not have an emotional response to what she was doing

Woman uploads abortion video - goes viral

Comments